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Printed letters, July 13, 2010

The illegal alien issues are in the mainstream, again. In 2006, the House District 55 Republican candidate researched and saw firsthand the devastation created by the illegal aliens who crossed the border into Arizona.

He stood on that border in Arizona. He met with the landowners and heard their stories about how their property was stolen and destroyed. He talked to grandfathers who are afraid to allow their grandchildren to play in their yards.

Remember, the word is “illegal.” Bob Caskey used this personal experience to set his platform’s focus for solving the issue. First, we must enforce the existing laws. Second, we must return those who are here illegally to their homeland. For the sake of our agriculture, we must develop an effective guest-worker program. We have waited, for years, for the federal government to address the problem. It has chosen to ignore it. By default, it is left to the states to solve.

Had Bob been elected, Colorado may have been the state to take the lead in solving this issue. Arizona and other states would have been jumping on our bandwagon and we all would be four years closer to a solution for the states. Congress and our presidents have sidestepped their responsibility to protect the citizens from the devastating costs of illegals. It must be our time.

Colorado needs to support Arizona in its bold stand. We need Colorado legislators to step up to the plate and design a guest-worker program and ensure that we do not embrace law breakers within our state boundaries.

Make the calls: What is our Legislature’s position in handling those who break the law? What is their plan to ensure that our agricultural community has the workers needed to harvest their crops? How will they ensure those guest workers do not wind up in our welfare rolls?

Colorado citizens can make the difference; it’s just a phone call away.

SANDRA K. CASKEY

JANET BLACKMAN and six others

Grand Junction and Clifton

Money being wasted on repairs to D Road

With all the talk about the budget, somebody decided that D Road between 30 and 29 roads needs to be chip-sealed. Maybe someone should have looked at D Road first.

The asphalt is crumbling in some places and it is full of repair jobs. So now we are spending money to chip-seal a road that really needs to be repaired and have new pavement put down — a real wise use of money putting a Band-Aid over a crappy road.

RICK WAITE

Grand Junction

Elliotts due recognition for helping tennis players

I am a young tennis player involved in the Mesa County Tennis program. I’m writing to put a spotlight on the Elliotts and all they do. They inspire kids to work on their tennis game, and they do an outstanding job.

All of my older siblings have played tennis, and it really is a great game. My two younger siblings take lessons at the Canyon View tennis courts with Kathy Elliott as their teacher, and whenever they see her when I am being dropped off at my Mesa State leagues or drill sessions, they hop out of the car and run up to her saying, “Kathy, Kathy! Mom, Kathy is here at the tennis courts!”

Ron Elliott is also a really great motivator, teacher and player. He can turn a horrible losing streak into a smile on your face and some amazing matches in the future. It’s as if he has a never-fading smile etched on his face. I have never in my life seen him frown, or be upset. He encourages young players to keep their cool when they get frustrated, and to never give up in the face of defeat.

David, Sandra and Carol Elliott are instructors who are involved with the real drill sessions, which help me out a lot, and help other people too. They make the practicing fun, while showing us how to correct ourselves if we are to make a mistake.

The Elliotts are a great tennis playing family, who are great contributors, and should be recognized for the work and time they put in to help young players work on, and learn to love the game of tennis.